At A Glance

Where

1 Centennial Drive, Kananaskis Village, AB

Price

up to 25 percent off

Nakiska may be a training center for race teams, but its groomed slopes delight families with big smooth boulevards. Families can also get discounted lift tickets with when lodging at Delta Lodge at Kananaskis.

Grooming the runs at Nakiska is all about perfection. General Manager Jan Sekerak brags about it saying, "Grooming here has Jan to be perfect." But his boast is not hot air, and he's out on the hill every day doing laps to check out the corduroy.

Nakiska's reputation for quality grooming paid off last winter when the resort sent five groomers to work the 2010 Olympics. Some of the staff has 10 years of experience tilling and laying down corduroy on Nakiska's slopes. "We grow our own groomers," Sekerak told us. "Seventy-five percent of groomable runs are groomed every day with 100 percent groomed on weekends."

Families can get discounted lift tickets to enjoy Nakiska's groomed slopes when reservations at Delta Lodge at Kananaskis are made through Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), owner of Nakiska. Those booking through RCR can save up to 25 percent on lift tickets.

The lodge features 13 room types, including loft rooms comfortable for families. Amenities are kid-pleasing with a 17-meter indoor saltwater pool and a huge hot tub that is part indoor and part outdoor. The complex also contains a fitness room, steam room, sauna, spa, shops, and restaurants. Kids six years old and younger eat for free when accompanied by an adult at The Fireweed Grill.